Enter your email to subscribe:

Each week seems to fly by faster than the one before it. I keep thinking that the semester will hit a nice routine. However, study skills workshops have now joined student appointments, walk-ins, special projects, class sessions, and meetings on my calendar. It is times like these that I remind myself that ASP professionals also need to use stress busters. Here are some things to consider:

Increase your number of hours of sleep each night by one to wake up more refreshed.

Go out to eat lunch occasionally so that you get a break rather than eating hurriedly at your desk.

On the days that you pack a lunch, close your door so that you can have some undisturbed down time without questions and walk-ins (and indigestion!).

Take the stairs to give yourself a bit of exercise during the day.

Walk to a meeting on main campus instead of driving for some exercise as well.

Mark off project time on your calendar during each week so that you can have uninterrupted time to focus.

Break your "to do" list into smaller steps so that you have a greater sense of accomplishment crossing off stages of a larger project.

Do a few relaxation exercises throughout the day to ease your computer posture.

Remind yourself at the end of a day of three ways that you helped make a difference for your students.

Read some inspirational sayings or scriptures each day to promote a positive outlook.

Talk to five students in the student lounge and encourage them - you will feel better for it.

Limit the number of hours you will stay late or the work you will take home so that you have more time for yourself and your family.

Make a crock pot your best friend for your nutritional freedom from "what's for dinner" decisions.

Pick an empty day on your calendar in two weeks time to keep clear from appointments and treat yourself to a vacation day (even if you will just sleep late and stay at home).

Attend a conference with your wonderful ASP colleagues to get renewed and supported in your work.

Telephone someone who will be happy to hear from you and will not ask you for anything at all.